Device for securing stair carpet and analogous uses



J. SMART Dec. 11, 1945.

DEVICE FOR SECURING STAIR CARPET AND ANALOGOUS USES Filed March 23,-1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR X w Tome (Q Q -Qw ATTORNEY J. SMA'RT Dec..1 1, 1945.

DEVICE FOR SECURING STAIR CARPET AND ANALOGOUS USES Filed March 23 1943 2 sheets sheet '2 b INVENTOR Tom e5 Smof'l' ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 11, 1945 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,390,851 DEVICE F03 SECURING STAJR CAREET AND ANALOGQUS USES James Smart, Stockwell, London S. W. 9, England Application March 23, 1943, Serial No. 480,165

in Great Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in devices for holding stair carpets and for analogous uses which are more particularly intended for clamping a stair carpet or the like between adjacent treads by engaging over the edges of the carpet.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel form of holding device which may be readily applied to hold a stair carpet, for example, in position on a stair which at the same time may be readily detached and re-applied.

According to a further feature of invention, the connecting means consists of a key intended to receive and form locking engagement with the headed element.

The key hole slot may be formed at substantially the mid-point along the length of the element although it is preferably disposed somewhat closer to the enlarged end than the other. The key-hole slot extends through the thickness of the element, with its slot extending along the major axis of the device. Preferably, the portion of the element bounding the slots of the key hole is chamfered.

According to a still further feature of the invention the connecting means comprise an undercut, T-shaped or other suitable shape of groove or slot for engaging with the headed element.

In all cases the headed element is a wood screw, bolt, mail or equivalent headed member which is appropriately positioned with regard to the edge of the carpet.

In order that the invention may be understood and readily carried into effect, three examples are hereinafter more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings which are given for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of the device,

Figure 2 is a face view of the device,

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section on the line III-III of Figure 2, and

Figure 4 is a transverse section on the line IV-IV of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a face view of a modified device of similar general design to that of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section on the line VI-VI of Figure 5,

Figure '7 is a transverse section on the line VII-VII of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternative form of device,

Britain April 8, 1942 clearly Figure 9 is an elevation seen from the rear or underside,

Figure 10 is a section of Figure 9, and

Figure 11 is a section taken on the line XI-XI of Figure 9.

Referring now to the said drawings in which similar parts bear like reference letters, and in particular to Figures 1 to 4, the device is of parallel sided elongated form, rounded off at one end a and at the opposite end provided with an enlargement b which'is thicker than the remainder of the device as may be seen from Figure 1 and also wider than the width of the device as may be seen from Figure 2. At a convenient oint along the length of the device and preferably near the enlargement b there is provided a key hole slot 0, the shank of which extends along the major axis of the device away from the enlarged end 11. Preferably the thickness of the device is reduced around the key hole slot 0 or there is at least a chamfer 0 around the shank portion of the slot.

The form of the device illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7 is essentially similar in design to that already described but in this case the key hole slot 0 extends into the enlarged portion 17 whereby there is achieved an economy of space in the use of the device as well as greater strength in the region of the key hole slot.

The form of the device illustrated in Figures 8 to 11 is also of elongated form with an enlarged head I) at its one end.

In this case, the head portion 1) is provided with a central longitudinal groove d, and this groove opens on the free end-face of the head ortion and the bottom face thereof. The upper part of the slot d, in the drawings, is of dovetail section whilst the lower longitudinal walls of the slot are parallel, so that the upper part of the slot is capable of engaging with the head of a screw and the lower part of the slot with the shank of the screw. The section of the slot thus corresponds to that of a section through the head and upper part of the shank of a wood screw.

The groove in the holding device instead of being of the section above described may be of T-section and used with correspondingly formed screw heads, or the groove may be of any other suitable shape.

In all of the above examples, the increment both in width and thickness of the enlarged end I) is symmetrical, but either or both increments may be non-symmetrical since it is alone essential to have at least one increment in both ditaken on the line X-X mensions properly to position is made apparent hereinafter.

In the use of the device, a. screw or other suitable member having a head, which is desirably capableof adjustment nearer to or farther from the surface of the step or adjacent upright portion of the staircase, is appropriately positioned adjacent to the edge of the carpet. The device is then positioned in th forms illustrated in Figures 1-4 and 5-7 by entering the screw or headed element through the rounded portion of the key hole 0 and then by displacing the element so that the shank of the screw or other-member lies at the C'lOSed end of the slot of the key hole whereby the head holds th element in position.

In the form illustrated in Figures 8-11, the screw or headed element is introduced into the slot and the device then displaced until the head lies at the closed end of the slot. The enlargement of thewidth of the device will engage the tread surface of the one step and will maintain the device substantially parallel thereto, whilst making allowance for the thickness of the carpet. Similarly, the increased thickness of that portion the device in use as of the device will engage the vertical surface of the adjacent step and similarly maintain the device substantially parallel thereto, also.allowing for the thickness of the carpet. When it is desired to release the carpet, it is only necessary to move the device in the opposite direction and free it from lookin engagement with the screw or other headed member.

The reference to the tread surface and vertical surface is purely relative, as of course, the screw or other headed element may be placed in the tread surface. Naturally, the devices will be used in pairs, one being arranged at each side of the carpet. When, as preferred, the portion of the device adjacent the slot of the key-hole is chamferedthe head of the screw or the like will lie substantially flush with the surface of the element.

It is only necessary accurately to locate the position of the screw or other headed element the correct distance from the adjacent surface of the next step at a convenient distance from the edge of the carpet. ciently secure the carpet, the disance between the head thereof and the surface on which it is positioned is reduced whilst on the other hand if it is too tight or the device cannot be positioned that distance may be increased.

The holding device may be made of timber,

.metal, synthetic resin, vulcanized rubber, or any other suitable metallic or non-metallic material.

If the device does not sufii-' The device may have an ornamental design formed thereon and may be coloured in a variety of shades so as to blend with the colours of the carpet or the like. 7

By means of the invention a simple, efficient and inexpensive form of holding device is provided for stair carpets and analogous uses.

Iclaim:

1. A device for securing stair carpet and analogous uses comprising an elongated member including a straight shank of substantially uniform rectangular cross-section and an integral head of rectangular cross-section and of greater thickness and width than said shank at one end of the latter, said member being provided adjacent its headed end with an elongated cut-out extending along the major axis of the member, said cut-out having a length equal to a fraction of the length of said member and a width to accommodate the shank of a headed element and terminating in an opening through which said shank may be introduced into said cut-out.

2. A device, as claimed in claim 1, in which said cut-out is formed throughout its length with a. portion of greater width adapted to accommodate the head of such'headed element.

3. A device for securing stair carpet and analogous uses comprising an elongated member including a straight shank of substantially uniform rectangular cross-section and an integral head of rectangular cross-section and of greater thickness and width than said shank at one end of the latter, said member being provided adjacent its headed end with a key hole slot the shank portion of which extends along the major axis of the member and has a width to accommodate the shank of a headed element.

4. A device, as claimed in claim 3, in which the thickness of the elongated member is reduced adjacent the shank portion of said key hole slot to accommodate the head of such headed element.

5. A device for securing stair carpet and analogous use comprising an elongated member including a straight shank of substantially uniform rectangular cross-section and an integral head of rectangular cross-section and of greater thickness and width than said shank at one end of the latter, said member being provided with an undercut groove extending from the headed end along the major axis of the member for a distance equal to a fraction of the length of the latter, said groove being adapted to accommodate the head and shank of a headed element.

JAMES SMART. 

